It's worthwhile for the career seeker to understand the efficiencies derived from using a recruiter. It may seem like a waste of time. Anyone can read a newspaper or online job board ad and respond to it. There's more involved.

When it's so easy to conduct a job search on the net, one wonders why even bother with having an executive recruiter. All you have to do is network among your friends, acquaintances, former co-workers, mentors and coaches, and you'll get the right connections. All you have to do is surf the net for company and job board websites and then check their postings. All you need to do is research the company to make certain it's the right match for you. And then the only matters left are getting yourself invited to come in for an interview, then doing such a phenomenal job of talking with the right people that they'll not be able to make an offer fast enough.

If that short list of "all you need to do" isn't enough and your eyes are glazing over with fatigue at this point, then you've more than got this under control. Stop reading now and move on to something else. If you're even the slightest bit stunned at the short list, keep reading.

The Matchmaker
Think of the executive recruiter as a matchmaker who's been engaged by the potential bridegroom to find the perfect spouse. In this instance, the happy couple will be the employer and you. The Employer A needs the recruiter's assistance to find that ideal One while they are off doing the things necessary to build and maintain the homeplace -- the business. Employer A wants to find someone like you, the person who can help them sustain the homeplace and make it better.

The Front Work
The recruiter has already worked with the client, Employer A, to understand what position is open. Ideally, there's been some discussion about whether the position is really necessary. Coupled with that is a type of interview to determine what responsibilities will be involed in the position and then what desirable traits the candidates for the position should have.

Throughout all of these discussions, the recruiter is not only meeting with the client but also gaining a sense of who's who in the company and what the culture is. The other issue the recruiter should have done is researched the company to make certain of its industry and financial position. At a minimum, the recruiter needs to do this type of work before taking on the assignment in order to make certain the client is a good risk.

Ready-Made Research
So the recruiter has the inside scoop on your new employer. Your matchmaker can fill you in on the peculiarities and quirks that make this situation ideal for your goals. You'll also be provided with suggestions about what attributes you have that should be played up for this situation. More importantly, you'll have someone who has their pulse on the research you'd have to do on your about those in the company and the company itself.

This doesn't mean you should stop doing your own research. But it does mean you have someone who has information that will verify your findings. They will also be able to clarify some of the more "fuzzy" information that tends to be part of public relations.

You've Been Chosen
The recruiter will find out through their network of contacts who are the best in the field. So when you're contacted, feel complimented. If you contact the recruiter in response to the rare ad that they run or have contacted them through your own networking efforts and they have called you back, also feel complimented. But keep in mind that you're constantly interviewing. You should be finding the answers to these questions:

Is this a person with whom you can work?

What is this situation they're presenting?

Is it something that truly meets your needs and long-range goals?

Why you?

and a few other critical questions such as whether this person will be working for you and what their track record is, to name a few.

Among the evidence that the recruiter is working for you is that you will be presented to the client. Your best attributes that make you one of the creme de la creme for this opportunity will be provided to the Employer A. Employer A, should they decided to interview you, will be prepared to meet a star. You'll have that much of an edge over your competition that did not use a recruiter. Employer A will also have received a synopsis of your background in addition to a copy of your resume. So your first meeting will be the usual getting acquainted on a face-to-face basis but the preliminary jocking for sizing will be minimal. You can focus on the more important aspects of whether this is a fit for you.

All That Work
All of that preliminary work and the follow up are why you should use a recruiter. Just when you may think things have dried up, trust that if you haven't heard from the recruiter, you are still in the running and your matchmaker is keeping your name and potentiality before Employer A.

Other Things
There are other aspects of working with a recruiter. A few suggestions of what isn't happening are things that you should be conscious of. And even though we strive to be diversity blind in some ways, there are issues that those candidates should be aware of and take steps to address.

Yes, there's a lot to the answer of why use a recruiter. In the long run, it can save you a lot of work getting to the entrance of your career.